2nd day

With no sleep, I shouldn't drive, and the guys didn't want me to either. No objection from me. I welcome the help. I was in a high state... and not really functional. (T_T)

The motel provides a free continental breakfast. We ate, and were on our way to Tulalip. Halfway there we came across a brand new looking mall with a Walmart. I got my face wash and white stripe, yay!!

Forgot what time we arrived at the Premium Outlet, but I think it was just before lunch. Both A and S got some stuff. If A didn't buy me those Jocky panties, I would have left completed empty-handed. Thanks!

Again, lunch at a restaurant was out. Sorry S! We ended up eating in the food court with pitiful selection and extremely over-priced food. Then it started raining and the sky kept dumping all it's tears on us. With no umbrella, we basically had to wait it out. Didn't go into every store, but managed to hit the necessary ones.

Next... I was hoping Michaels' in Bellingham. But we came across one only one exit after the Premium Outlet. S didn't want to go... but I have 50% off coupons good only for today. Would really want to go. Yes I was mad. Probably because I failed to find anything at last stop. This trip may not be worthwhile if I couldn't get some more stuff.

Thanks S for turning around. However, we missed the exit and was back at the Premium Outlet. (T_T) When we got to Michael's, my 1st and 2nd choice items were sold out. But the rest was OK. Can't complain too much. Thanks for the craft punch, A! Gave S a coupon so he could get some silicone cupcake liners and less grumpy.

One last chance to shop: Costco. I needed windshield wiper blades badly. A bought backup power supply. Tried to install the wipers but was too cold. Thought I could figure it out but not. The guys got mad at me... (T_T) ... because it was too cold? It took too long? Or grumpiness from low blood sugar? Or I was just stupid? (T_T)

We ended up stopping by a small area with a few restaurants near the outskirt of Bellingham, and ate at the Japanese one for dinner. That was the very first time ever that I've seen Japanese restaurant giving you a large glass of ice water instead of a small cup of tea.

Perhaps A's bottle of ice wine from the duty free gave us trouble at the border. Otherwise we could have gotten away without having to stop. He didn't present it's receipt and it ended up on my bill as I was the last in the group. For the $140 I spent counting the ice wine, I had to pay 20-something bucks. So the shoes may not have be a good deal after all. However, it is my size, and may still be worthwhile.

S took Peach Arch and didn't give me a chance to fill up on gas before crossing the border. (T_T) Was he mad or something? But thanks for helping me install the wipers at your parkade. Much appreciated. I couldn't have figured it out myself.

It was around 11 when I got home. Need to work tomorrow. Need to shower. Need to wash my hair. Need to unpack. Most of all, need sleep!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cross-border shopping

Tried to prints some coupons last night but couldn't get the printer to work. Only slept 4 hours. Didn't finish packing either. (T_T) Will I be able to drive? Should be fine until my monster takes over.

So this is it. Didn't get a reply from Sy but I'd still declare visiting her as part of my trip purpose.

Everyone met at A's at 10:30. S was late and we left at around 11:30. Just because I screwed up at the traffic light and no one let me merge into the line, I had to go into the duty-free shop. A bought a bottle of ice wine for under $30. His original choice was something $78... yikes! ($18 more than what I make in one day.) We still had to wait 1.5 hours. Did the duty-free buy us any time? Don't know. I get the feeling not. But I still would like to believe it did.

By the time we reached the Birch Bay outlet, it was... 2:30? 3-ish? Argh forgot! S's plan of eating at a restaurant was ruined. Sorry, but this is what happens when on a trip. Especially to somewhere unfamiliar. We ended up eating snacks at a coffee shop. Didn't expect to, but got a pair of Bass shoes. Too bad the guys didn't find anything at Van Husen. Filled up on gas and we were off.

Next stop, Bellis Fair. Turn too early and ended up in some trailer home area. Looked like low-income housing right next to a mall. Quite a contrast. Came back out. Our actual destination
was a bit further down the street.

Walmart, Costco, Bestbuy, Michael's.... what else? Walmart didn't have my Olay face wash! How shocking! No white strip either. Only got dental floss. (I forgot to bring face wash and floss.)

Ate dinner at Red Robin. Kind of regret not ordering the onion rings. Hmm...

Next, Jo-ann! Turn too early again and ended up right back on the highway. (T_T) Nevertheless got there after wasting some time and gas. Their normal beading stuff was buy 2 get 1 free. Not exactly a good deal. Managed to find some clearance stuff, so I didn't go empty-handed. Thanks for the wooden beads, guys! (^_^)

Next, motel. We came across an Econo Lodge near Bellis Fair. The $59 sign outside seemed like a good deal, and we decided to stay there for the night. Turn out a room for three is $79. My CAA membership got us $10 off, yay!

Couldn't find any pay phone to cal Sy with, but found a computer with internet. So I sent her an e-mail instead. It would be long distance if I called.

The motel room wasn't too bad for the price. Since S didn't like to share a bed with A, I share with S. Not a problem. However... I couldn't sleep. Both of them snore, plus S grinds his teeth. The biggest problem was the bed. It was too soft. I was lying there afraid of turning might wake S up. I heard every single snore and grind, cough and sneeze.... (T_T)

Outlet shopping

My brother's brother-in-law (complicated...) and his wife are in town. They went cross-border shopping yesterday so I hitched a ride, hoping to find Re-ment USA products. (Hehe...) Too bad, the type of stores they went to weren't the "right type" and I found nothing. Unfortunately, impulse shopping kicked in. I ended up buying things that I don't need. (A hand bag, a shirt, 2 towels, and dried blue berries.) Oh well, the deal is good, and I didn't want to waste the trip, but that's money spent nevertheless. We left at around 11AM. By the time I got home, it was 1AM.